Can Vitamin D Prevent Tooth Decay?

The journal Nutrition Reviews recently performed a review of 24 different clinical trials involving children studied between the 1920s and the 1980s. It was found that when these children were given vitamin D as a supplement, it accounted for a 50 percent decrease in the incidence of tooth decay. The findings suggest that there is a strong link between vitamin D intake and the prevention of tooth decay.

The vitamin was delivered to these children by different means, ranging from supplemental UV radiation to dietary products containing the vitamin. It is believed that part of the reason vitamin D has had this effect in these children is due to the fact that vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. It has been well documented that calcium plays a strong role in strengthening bones and building teeth. It has also been found that in populations who have seen a drop in vitamin D intake, there has been an increase in dental caries among children. While more research needs to be done to prove an absolute causal link between vitamin D intake and the prevention of tooth decay, there is clearly a strong correlation between the two.

It is important to strengthen teeth and protect them against the harms of tooth decay. While minor decay can easily be treated by removing it and restoring the tooth with a dental filling, decay that has reached the pulp of the tooth will result in the death of the tooth. If you have any teeth that you believe have suffered extensive decay, contact our root canal dentist to schedule a consultation.